Munchbar and Mirror Ultra Lounge Will Not Reopen
Kemper Development Company released a statement today notifying the public that Munchbar and Mirror Ultra Lounge within Bellevue Square will not reopen following the shooting that took place on December 24th. At this time there is not any additional information on what will take the place of Munchbar.
Below is the statement released:
Kemper Development Company and the owners of Munchbar/Mirror Lounge have mutually agreed to not reopen the restaurant and lounge. Both parties determined this would be best for the community, guests and the families involved. Munchbar and Mirror Lounge have been closed since December 24, 2012.
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Anon | Jan 3, 2013 | Reply
I see people applauding this decision but I’m unclear how shuttering the venue is going to improve the security situation in Bellevue.
There are too many questions here. Why did a clearly disturbed young man get a slap on the wrist for killing Tuba Man? How was a 20 year old driving a stolen car armed with guns in MunchBar to begin with?
There’s got to be a balance between having nightlife in Bellevue and ensuring security. The decision to shut down the venue completely seems extreme. Unless the decision was simply made because of MunchBar’s liability in this situation.
Sam | Jan 3, 2013 | Reply
I believe that despite the recent events the business was struggling anyways. The recent incident may have been ‘the straw that broke the camel’s back’.
As for why he got a ‘slap on the wrist’ is due to the judicial system and him being a minor at the time of the crime (not an issue of Munchbars)
I think you do have a point that Munchbar’s liability in this situation was too large for them to continue business. I don’t have much knowledge for situations like this at other establishments, but I’ve got to believe that if your establishment allowed a shooting to happen AND it was by a minor…..kiss of death….
Brian Lutz | Jan 3, 2013 | Reply
If I had to guess, “mutually agreed” means that Kemper offered them the option to say that so it sounds a bit better than saying that they got kicked out. I suspect that the whole incident probably exposed some pretty severe lease violations on Munchgroup’s part. Combine that with the inevitable negligence lawsuit from the victim’s family that they’re going to have to settle for millions to avoid looking even worse than they are now, and I suspect that this could end up doing in Munchgroup entirely.
LD | Jan 3, 2013 | Reply
The venue was not attracting the kind of crowds Freeman wanted to see in his Bellevue Collection. So this was a good opportunity for Freeman to shut this place down. I don’t think the Munchbar owners will be able to contest this decision, given the huge liability issues they are facing.
LL | Jan 3, 2013 | Reply
How is this crowd any different from the Parlor crowd?
BeerDrinker | Jan 3, 2013 | Reply
Less douchebag venues in Downtown Bellevue is never a bad thing.
Anon | Jan 3, 2013 | Reply
Tragic shooting, but Munchbar was already broken. My family had indifferent service, got cold food, and waited 25 minutes to get the (wrong) check from a waitress sitting at a table with her friends. The bussing staff was great, though.
Old Bellevue | Jan 3, 2013 | Reply
Based on the crowd I saw at Munchbar and the crowd I see now at Parlor, I bet Parlor is next to close or get rid of their dancing.
ledzeppelinsux | Jan 3, 2013 | Reply
good. had as much class as Jungle Jims
john | Jan 4, 2013 | Reply
Ha Jungle Jims I had completely forgot a about that place!
Craig | Jan 4, 2013 | Reply
Haha jungle jims!!
Munchbar already has a sexual harassment lawsuit going on right now u can google munchbar lawsuit and find it. Any they are supposedly opening 2 new spots in SODO. Aston Manor (stupid name) and Masion Tavern(really stupid name). The address yet have linked to Maison tavern is the same place that republiq was in. In early 2012, there was a fatal shooting of a us Nimitz navy member outside of republiq. I wonder what the owner of that place thinks about their new tenants having already one spot closed down from a fatal shooting, and bringing all their crowd to his place. Pretty sure Aston manor is going in right next door or within a block or 2. Moving closer to downtown, and south Seattle where they have more of these kinds of problems their new venues are guaranteed to have problems. Their crowd will just follow. If you google munchbar their managers name comes up. If you google him, turns out he is a convicted felon!
Michael | Jan 5, 2013 | Reply
Certain types of businesses, run certain ways, attract the wrong types(underage youths with a violent past and an illegal, concealed firearm) to DT Bellevue.
See Sky Lounge and, to a lesser extent, Vertigo. Both had serious issues with fights and even gangs (in Vertigo’s case, Russian gangs).
Munch had a recurrent problem with underage drinkers getting in and getting served. The shooter was let in at only 19.
That’s not to say it’s all about the Nightclub. Blue Martini does it very well. They card everyone religiously and always have a pair of Bellevue cops (on Blue’s dime) outside the front door — often more on the weekend.
sunny | Jan 5, 2013 | Reply
Gangs at sky? haha where did you come up with that?? They didnt shut down over violence… they had lease issues with bungie. The owners of the Galleria are idiots when it comes to leases!
Dave | Jan 6, 2013 | Reply
Fwiw, I think Parlor brings in a mixed crowd. They seem to be pretty thorough with checking ID at the door and a lot of the people going there are there for the comedy show. Also… for whatever reason and perhaps this is an unfair observation… but every time I’ve been at The Parlor during the weekend, the dance floor is packed with Asians. In my experience, it’s always been pretty laid back.
Munch bar had a far more douchey crowd… wannabee jersey shore a-holes and coked up tramps. It was always overcrowded and always completely ghetto. They sucked em in with their Kim Khardasian and Carmen Electra nights.
Kevin | Jan 7, 2013 | Reply
@Dave, I am not even going to ask what does “packed with Asians” mean for you… It does seem that nothing is good enough for you and maybe you should just stay home.
Pat Cattin | Jan 11, 2013 | Reply
Really? You don’t know the difference between a place that attracts the “Bros” with angry gang behavior that lacks a strictly enforced dress code. From a club that is well managed and vigilant, being pro-active in the prevention of violence? REALLY? The lessons are everywhere. From the Marriott at Sea-Tac in the 90′s. (They saved their license and reputation when the place became a gang hangout.) How? They changed their format from DJ Top 40′s rap ect. To country music. Yes the big crowds diminished, but the bar is still there. The example(s) in Pioneer Square are many. Larry’s for years was a great place with a thriving (read packed) business. Their format was live blues. ANYBODY & EVERYBODY felt welcome and comfortable. When Larry changed the format to Hip-Hop DJ. Most long term clientele (me being one) left. The social atmosphere devolved into a scary place. Sure enough the place became a hangout for people that like scary places and music that insults and degrades women. Many police calls, fights, a warning from the mayor and WSLCB and even a murder in front the place could not get Larry to change the format. THEY ARE GONE. I’ve wanted to say this in public for years, Larry is a fool! There are a number of other examples in Belltown and Pioneer Square. I mean, come on. I am not talking about the color or race of the patrons. I’m speaking specifically to the culture promoted by the establishment. When you promote the lowest common denominator your clientele will be the lowest common denominator, along with people not wise enough to stay away. I’ll bet if all the facts were known, Kemper Freeman already had the club on a short leash. I’ll bet the tenant had a number of warnings from Kemper’s lawyers. It is too bad it took a GOOD mans life to allow Kemper the opportunity to correct his mistake. I’ll bet it never happens again at Bellevue Square or any project connected with Mr. Freeman
Pat Cattin | Jan 11, 2013 | Reply
TO: LL. Really? You don’t know the difference between a place that attracts the “Bros” with angry gang behavior that lacks a strictly enforced dress code. From a club that is well managed and vigilant, being pro-active in the prevention of violence? REALLY? The lessons are everywhere. From the Marriott at Sea-Tac in the 90′s. (They saved their license and reputation when the place became a gang hangout.) How? They changed their format from DJ Top 40′s rap ect. To country music. Yes the big crowds diminished, but the bar is still there. The example(s) in Pioneer Square are many. Larry’s for years was a great place with a thriving (read packed) business. Their format was live blues. ANYBODY & EVERYBODY felt welcome and comfortable. When Larry changed the format to Hip-Hop DJ. Most long term clientele (me being one) left. The social atmosphere devolved into a scary place. Sure enough the place became a hangout for people that like scary places and music that insults and degrades women. Many police calls, fights, a warning from the mayor and WSLCB and even a murder in front the place could not get Larry to change the format. THEY ARE GONE. I’ve wanted to say this in public for years, Larry is a fool! There are a number of other examples in Belltown and Pioneer Square. I mean, come on. I am not talking about the color or race of the patrons. I’m speaking specifically to the culture promoted by the establishment. When you promote the lowest common denominator your clientele will be the lowest common denominator, along with people not wise enough to stay away. I’ll bet if all the facts were known, Kemper Freeman already had the club on a short leash. I’ll bet the tenant had a number of warnings from Kemper’s lawyers. It is too bad it took a GOOD mans life to allow Kemper the opportunity to correct his mistake. I’ll bet it never happens again at Bellevue Square or any project connected with Mr. Freeman